Asian co*cktails are vibrant, diverse, timeless, and almost always have a tasty hint of intrigue in the mix—much like the continent itself. Inspired by this captivating region with its splendid array of landscapes, climates, cultures, and people, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite Asian drinks to spark a touch of wanderlust in your palate. Happy adventuring!
1. Singapore Sling
This famous Asian co*cktail drink has inspired countless variations, but we still adore the original. Ngiam Tong Boon created the Singapore Sling recipe in 1915, and it quickly became a local favorite. Tart, refreshing, and very drinkable, there’s a good reason this classic drink has remained one of the most fashionable co*cktails of our time.
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2. Asian Pear
The Asian Pear co*cktail has been crafted to absolute perfection. It’s a delight from start to finish and easy to whip up. Add 1.25 oz Chinese baijiu, 0.25 oz maraschino liqueur, 0.25 oz pear liqueur, 2 oz white pear juice, 0.75 oz lime juice, 0.5 oz agave syrup, and a few dashes of bitters to a co*cktail shaker with ice. Shake until well-chilled, decant into a frosted glass, and serve.
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3. Cherry Blossom
This Asian co*cktail brings plenty of springtime flair to the party. To make two Cherry Blossom drinks, combine 1.5 oz sake, 1 oz cherry liqueur, 0.5 oz Bulldog Gin, 0.25 oz Grand Marnier, 0.25 oz grenadine, and 0.25 oz lemon juice in a mixing glass with ice. Stir until thoroughly chilled, and strain into two chilled glasses. Garnish with fresh or brandied cherries.
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4. Poktanju (Soju Bomb)
This party drink is a complete Korean pub classic. Fill a glass halfway with chilled beer. Place two chopsticks across the top of the glass. Pour the soju into a shot glass, and carefully balance it on top of the chopsticks. Now slam your hands on the table on either side of the beer glass and watch the shot of soju drop into your drink. Enjoy!
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5. Sparkling Strawberry Boba
If you have a soft spot for fun and festive Asian co*cktail recipes, you’ve got to make the Sparkling Strawberry Boba co*cktail. To make this bubble tea co*cktail, you will need 1 oz SKYY Vodka, 2.5 oz strawberry simple syrup, 0.5 oz fresh lime juice, two tablespoons of tapioca pearls, and 3 oz of sparkling water or club soda. Combine the tapioca pearls and syrup in the bottom of your serving glass, then top with the vodka and fresh lime juice, and charge with sparkling water.
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6. Japanese Sour
No list of Asian-themed co*cktails would be complete without the Japanese Sour. Smoky, sour, smooth, and seductively frothy on top, this slow sipper is a spin-off of the classic Whiskey Sour.
To make one, combine 2 oz Japanese whisky, 0.25 oz fresh lemon juice, 0.25 oz yuzu juice, 0.5 oz kuromitsu (or honey syrup), and 1 egg white in a shaker and dry shake (without ice) for 10 seconds. Add ice cubes and shake again until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe glass, add a few drops of bitters and serve.
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7. Mango Mojito
If you’ve ever enjoyed a cool, velvety sip of a Mango Mojito, you have India to thank for this Asian-inspired co*cktail. It’s the birthplace of the mango and the population can’t get enough of them. A Mango Mojito is a fruity and fragrant fiesta, with a smooth texture that only mango can deliver. To transform your Mojito into a Mango Mojito, simply muddle in some fresh mango, and add a splash of mango juice to the regular Mojito mix.
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8. Sesame Old Fashioned
The traditional Old Fashioned is one of the most popular short drinks around the globe, and the Sesame Old Fashioned takes this sought-after drink template into a beautifully nutty and aromatic direction. Dry toast a handful of sesame seeds in a warm pan, remove, and add to 4 oz of The Glen Grant whiskey. Infuse for an hour. Build 2 oz sesame-infused whiskey, 0.5 oz simple syrup, and 4 dashes of bitters in a rocks glass over ice. Stir, serve, and enjoy this popular Asian alcoholic drink.
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9. Raspberry Soju
Following in the slipstream of dainty drinks like the Raspberry Martini, the Raspberry Soju provides a beautiful way to showcase the tender taste of this picture-perfect fruit. In a glass, muddle a few fresh raspberries with 1/2 oz simple syrup. Add ice and 2 oz soju. Stir gently and garnish your pretty Asian alcoholic drink with a few fresh raspberries.
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10. Toki Americano
Japan meets Italy’s aperitivo hourin one of our favorite Asian alcoholic drinks. This stir-and-strain drink is a spin-off of the famous Americano co*cktail, featuring a beautiful balance of bittersweet and savory flavors. To make one, combine 1.5 oz Japanese whisky, 0.75 oz Cinzano Vermouth Bianco, 0.75 oz Amaro Averna, and a dash of grapefruit bitters in a mixing glass with ice. Stir and strain into a chilled coupe before serving.
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11. Indian Hot Buttered Rum
As far as Asian-inspired winter co*cktails go, the Hot Buttered Rum might just be the king. It contains butter and we all know that everything is better with butter. To give your buttery bomb an Indian twist, all you have to do is add some chai spice to the usual butter, sugar, and vanilla mix. Top it up with rum and hot water, and you’ve got yourself a fragrant Indian Hot Buttered Rum.
12. Chinese Fizz
Love a Ramos Fizz? Try this delightful Asian summer co*cktail. To make one, combine 2 oz Appleton Estate Rum, 0.25 oz Grand Marnier, 0.25 oz cherry liqueur, 0.5 oz lemon juice, 0.5 oz simple syrup, 0.25 oz grenadine, 1 egg white, and a dash of bitters in a co*cktail shaker. Dry shake to combine, then add ice, shake until frosty, and double strain into a glass filled with fresh ice.
13. Sabai Sabai
Sabai Sabai, also known as the ‘Thai Welcome Drink’, is the official alcoholic drink of Thailand. To make one, add 2 fresh sweet Thai basil leaves to a co*cktail shaker, along with 1.5 oz Mekhong, 1.5 oz fresh lemon juice, and 0.75 oz simple syrup. Add ice and shake vigorously for about 10 seconds. Strain into a chilled co*cktail glass or an old-fashioned glass filled with fresh ice, top off with club soda and serve.
There you have it—13 amazing Asian co*cktails to inspire your exploration of this captivating region and all its gorgeous delicacies. If you love traveling in a co*cktail glass, sign up for our newsletter so we can send you a first-class ticket to your next drinkspiration destination.
